Accessory

in law, one who is not the chief actor in an offense nor present at its commi ion, but still is connected with it in some other way. Acce ories may become so before the fact or after the fact. Sir Matthew Hale defines an acce ory before the fact as one who, being absent at the time of the crime committed, does yet procure, counsel, or command another to commit a crime. If the procurer be present when the evil deed is being done, he is not an acce ory, but a principal. An acce ory after the fact is one who, knowing a felony to have been committed, receives, relieves, comforts, and a ists the felon.